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Does music affect your driving style?

Whilst driving the other day, I noticed the fuel economy meter on my car giving different readings depending on what I listened to. We all know how music can affect your mood so I was intregued as to the effect different artists would have on driving style and consequently MPG readings.....

I think you can all see where this is going.....

So I put enya on the other morning on the way to work and I got 66.2mpg, then the next day I tried Orbital, same journey but I only got 60mpg....
(yes I am nuts before you ask!)

I shall keep updating this list with different results, would be interested to hear if other forum folk have experienced the same thing?

=================================

Artist MPG

enya 66.2
Orbital 60.0
Mr. Scruff 61.0

Last edited by AndyPandy on Mon Jun 30, 2008 9:25 am, edited 1 time in total.

I think music does affect my driving style, but then again, maybe it's just that my mood affects my driving and my music depends on my mood....not sure. Unfortunately I don't have anything on my car to say what fuel consumption is, so I can't say

Music and friendship - the answer to life's problems.

I heard Your voice
Whisper to the wild water
Step By Step
Slowly I turn - Máire Brennan

I have no idea if it affects my driving style. I don't have my licence yet, so I'm still learning and far too concentrated on the road to pay attention to the music, let alone pay attention to which music affects my driving . But I'm sure it has some effect. Could someone explain to me what MPG is though? (A)

I have to say, I've got no idea!!!!! But there are other factors to consider, even assuming the same journey:

1. The speed at which you're driving - beyond about 60mph wind resistance becomes a real factor so high-speed motorway driving will be less efficient than being stuck on a main road behind someone doing 55mph that you cannot get round.

2. Traffic conditions. If there's a lot of traffic about so you're having to crawl for any length of time, that'll make a difference. Also, traffic lights. It may make a difference if every set turns red just as you get there!

3. Other electrical things switched on in the car. For instance, air conditioning takes a fuel economy hit and even having lights and radio on, etc. draw power from the battery which is replaced from the alternator, which is having to work slightly harder to recharge the battery - that extra power is coming from the fuel. But I'd expect that extra hit (all bar aircon) to be fairly minimal.

4. The wind. If you drive with a tailwind most of the way, you're going to get better economy than if you have a head wind. Or different strengths of wind each time you make the same journey.

But I think the music does affect one's overall mood while driving. I'm a bit more finnicky to what's playing when I'm driving, and music I can normally tolerate will be unbearable when driving, especially if in an unfamiliar area. For me, the music will usually be Moya, Clannad, Enya, worship, Christian celtic, and sometimes regular pop (especially if I'm with Thea).

If you don't know what eschatology is then don't worry; it's not the end of the world.Purveyor of fine sarcasm since 1966.

I don`t have my own license, but when I travel with my Dad, I see the difference in his driving, depending on the music.
And yes, he does have a Clannad CD in his car. But he goes really crazy while listening to Pink Floyd. The problem is, that`s his favourite band.

I think the music I listen to does affect my driving style, but as I have to drive up and down one of the largest main roads in Wales to get to most places from where I live, what music I listen to has to be turned up loud, just to be heard over assorted lorries, 4x4s, coaches etc.!

Must admit, I haven't worked out my fuel consumption, although my car does have a "gizmo" to do it without me having to do difficult maths.....

In all honesty, I don't listen to music while I drive, and I don't think I can get my helmet on with earphones in but when I'm with people who drive, the music they listen to affects their speed, but others generally drive at the same speed no matter what music.

Oh, by the way Marlies, MPG means 'miles per gallon', a gallon is approximately 4 and a half litres, or in the US, 4L

I think I should try Andy's theory, see if music does affect my driving

Behind the innocent,
the last, the least and the lost
will be found in the storm

I believe that music can affect one's driving,the major factor is the kind of music in my opinion. I live on a busy road and often see cars ' flying ' past my house with the volume of the music almost on maximum.On 9 out of 10 occasions it's house,techno or similar that can be heard,this seems to bring the drivers of these cars in the mood for some ( serious ) speeding.
Personally I play a wide variety of music while I'm driving (this doesns't include the genres mentioned above ),but always keep an eye on the speed.

* No man ever wore a scarf as warm as his daughter’s arm around his neck.*

Interesting! I have not been driving long, and I'm only allowed to drive with parents at this point, so I don't normally listen to music in the car since I'm still learning. But, I did notice that when I had a Loreena McKennitt CD on low in the background, it made me less stressed while driving.